George, Randy (Ajalon) (May 2006)

A Brief Conversation with Randy George on Sunday, April 14th, 2006

Randy George, the guitarist with progressive rock band Ajalon (who have just been added to the inauguaral Silent Planet Fest scheduled for June 10 in Hughesville, PA), has also worked with Neal Morse, Rick Wakeman, Mike Portnoy, Michael Manring, Phil Keaggy, David Ragsdale (Kansas), Jordan Rudess, Steve Hackett and many others. This in additional to a solo career that has produced one album thus far, In The Light Of The King's Countenance, with a second in the wings. Recently, Joshua Turner spoke with George about working with Morse on ? and Ajalon.

Joshua Turner: I've gone back to the? album a lot recently. One of the best, if not the best, albums of last year.

Randy George: Glad you like it.

JT: I'm curious... what's the story?

RG: The story is about the Temple in the desert. In the time of Moses the Israelites carried around in the desert a temple that they would set up and camp around. This was their church so to speak. The Temple was very specific as to size and dimensions and materials. The mathematics of the temple are so mind-bogglingly conceived that many of the world's foremost mathematicians admit that no man could have devised it. And, of course, God himself gave them the blueprint for it. And, it was set up so that each year their high priests would go into the holy of holies which is like the innermost chamber where the presence of God dwelt, along with the Ark of the Covenant, and they would atone for the sins of the people. If the high priests didn't follow the protocol to the letter and prepare themselves accordingly, then they would not ever come out, but be consumed in the fire. It is said that God appeared in the form of a column of fire in that place that would extend to the sky.

JT: From whose perspective is this story told?

RG: The CD speaks from the perspective of the common people.

JT: Who is speaking during that sermon in the middle and what is the meaning?

RG: The person speaking is Pastor Steve Farmer who is the Pastor at Neal's Church in Cross Plains, TN. The meaning of what he is saying might be hard to understand since it is out of context both with the sermon he was preaching that day and with the story in the CD. Adding that was an after thought that Neal had later in production. I can't speak to why Neal chose that section or how he felt it related to the story. I suppose I'll have to ask him myself.

JT: Who are the voices behind all those whispers in the beginning and end?

RG: They are actually Neal and they are reversed so you would have to play it backwards in order to get it. But, I believe someone did that and posted the results on the Neal board at his website. Look back around Nov 2005.

JT: What projects are you currently working on?

RG: My solo project is nearly complete and I will be releasing that as soon as it is finished.

JT: Anything live?

RG: Ajalon will be doing a couple dates in June. One is at Silent Planet Fest in Hughesville, PA (www.silentplanetfest.com). Look for other dates to be announced for that same weekend in the Philly/NYC region.

JT: What's planned for the future?

RG: Beyond that we are writing new material for the next CD. I think Neal Morse also has some plans this year for some things.

JT: Any interest in playing at one of the festivals?

RG: Ajalon is always interested in playing at the festivals. But, someone has to invite us and make an offer.

In addition to their Silent Planet Fest appearance, later that same day, the band is scheduled to perform at St Luke Lutheran Church in Bloomsburg, PA and then next day participate in church services at the Salem Evangelical Free Church in Staten Island, NY. Their most recent release is 2005's On The Threshold Of Eternity. Randy's second solo album Mirrors & Memories is awaiting release; guests include Michael Manring, David Ragsdale, Neal Morse, Phil Keaggy and Dave Beegle.

Discography:
Ajalon - Light At The End Of The Tunnel (1996)
In Light Of The King's Countenance (2001)
Neal Morse - ? (2005)
Ajalon - On The Threshold Of A Eternity (2005)
Neal Morse - Lifeline (2008)
Ajalon - This Good Place (2009)